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Afraid of the rain? Don't be. Seattle has plenty of days with beautiful, sunny weather. When it is raining, a lot of times it can be classified as a drizzle and not a pelting wall of cold rain. Besides, you'll be so caught up in the changing landscape, you won't even notice the drizzle. It's all about the water and the mountains. There's pleny of islands that can be reached in under an hour that make you feel like you're world's away. If you're in the city, you can see the mountains (and maybe even a volcano) in the distance. If you feel like getting outdoors to do some hiking or camping, it would also only be a short drive away. It's the best of 3 different worlds (city, water and mountains) all combined into one. Just to round out the perfect place, west Seattle also boasts a beach (Alki Beach).

The temple in Seattle was completed in 1980. It's a unique temple situated in a hilly, forested area. In the book The First 100 Temples by Chad S. Hawkins. (http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Temples-Chad-Hawkins/dp/1573459216) He says, "As the temple progressed, several details were added to beautify and give special symbolic meaning to the sacred edifice. On the exterior are high relief sculptures of stalks of wheat that appear to be growing out of the ground. These symbolize Christ, who is the 'bread of life' (John 6:35). The vertical wheat shafts are emphasized by the repetition of vertical windows and columns that are high and pointed, reaching upward toward heaven."

Seattle has it's quirky neighborhoods; Freemont comes to mind, where you can see a giant troll (http://fremont.com/) under one of the bridges. There's also a little alley, near Pike's Market, that is covered in chewed gum. Yes, it's a gum wall. (https://plus.google.com/104928117578314947428/about?gl=us&hl=en) It's quirkiness at it's best. It's an eclectic place full of energy and polite locals. Whether you're looking for quirky or not, you'll probably run into it at some point.

Food is essential here and a lot of the restaurants depend on local, seasonal, authentic food. For some of the best chowder you'll ever taste, you must get a sampler at Pike Place Chowder. If chowder isn't enough and you'd like a fresh seafood meal in an elegant setting, head to Etta's near Pike's Place Market. For fresh Italian food where it's all about the family, choose Serafina for a delicious meal. For breakfast or brunch, get a filling meal at Portage Bay Cafe. Once you're hungry again, get an award-winning, creative lunch at Bakery Nouveau. Or, just grab some pastries if you're in a hurry, but you'll probably change your mind once you step foot inside and see the sandwiches and pizzas being made.

Water and ferries really are the essential Seattle. There are a host of wonderful islands and activies on each. Ferry to Islands, Bremerton - Bremerton Island is one rich with Naval History and many sites to explore. If you only have time to do one activity in Seattle and you're a first-timer, I think most would agree that it has to be Pike Place Market. There is so much to see and do here. You won't find pushy farmer's here - the colorful produce and unique food practically sell themselves. You'll have fun just strolling through the market experiencing the laid-back vibe of the place and looking at the colorful stalls. If you want to get a birdseye view of the city, visit the Space Needle and get familiair with your surroundings. If you're into history, science and seeing how airplanes are made or how ships pass through different heights of bodies of water, spend some time at Boeing Factory Tour & Future of Flight Aviation Center and Hiram M. Chittendam Locks (Ballard Locks). If you want to get out of the city and experience the great outdoors, you can enjoy yourself in Mt. Rainier National Park. Seattle truly has something for everyone. You'll probably have to make a few trips to experience it all.

Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) International Airport located at 17801 International Blvd, Seattle, WA is a quick 20 minute drive to the Temple in Bellevue via I-405 N. Many choices for rentals, taxis and shuttles are available. Public transportation is plentiful in the area. Light Rail, Sound Transit (http://www.soundtransit.org/), Metro Transit Bus and even Water Ferries & Taxis all offer affordable ways to make your way around the city.